Artist's concept of the SpaceX Dragon capsule docked on the ISS (Image: SpaceX)

The SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft being rotated before mounting on the front of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle (Photo: NASA)

The SpaceX Dragon/Falcon 9 vehicle on the launch pad waiting for its moment (Photo:

Mission patch for the SpaceX Dragon/Falcon 9 mission to the ISS (Photo: SpaceX)

The SpaceX Dragon/Falcon 9 resting on its launch pad (Photo: NASA)

Nine main engines of the SpaceX Falcon 9 (Photo: NASA)

Artist's conception of the SpaceX Dragon docking with the ISS (Photo: SpaceX)

Orange glow seen on the exterior of the Falcon 9 second stage rocket owing to its very high operating temperature (Photo: NASA)

Schematic diagram of SpaceX Dragon spacecraft (Image: SpaceX)

Three main parachutes providing a soft landing to a test Dragon capsule (Photo: SpaceX)

Artist's conception of the SpaceX Dragon docking with the ISS (Photo: SpaceX)

Nine main engines of the SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch vehicle in a NASA work bay (Photo: SpaceX)

The Canadian robotic arm guiding the Dragon Spacecraft to its docking position on the ISS (Image: SpaceX)

The SpaceX Dragon capsule maneuvering in space (Image: SpaceX)

Liftoff of the SpaceX Dragon/Falcon 9 mission to the ISS (Photo: NASA)

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Article Summary

In a stunning nightime launch at 3:44 Eastern Daylight Time, Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has sent the Dragon spacecraft into orbit on its way to a rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS). The Dragon will deliver about 460 kilograms of cargo, including food, disposables, several nanocubes for small-scale experimentation and blocks of ice.